For years I have focused on parks with play equipment as my children love a swing & zip wire! However with coronavirus and lockdown play areas have become out of bounds & many people have stayed closer to home. As we are now able to drive & lockdown is easing I thought I'd share some walks & open spaces in Northamptonshire.
I've been trying to find lesser known quieter spots for our family walks & much needed PlayStation/YouTube breaks. Often these lesser known places have no cafes/toilets etc so are not recommended for lengthy stays. Obviously the country parks are great & we all know & love Sywell, Brixworth, and Irchester etc (and they have toilets!) but I've tried to focus elsewhere as there have been reports these places have been very busy.
Northampton Washlands (behind Riverside) is a vast open space with the River Nene flowing along side it. There's a small marina and often horses, sheep and ducks/swans/geese.
River Nene (Brackmills) further up from the washlands you can walk along the Nene. We walked in a loop going past Northampton Active. You can walk all the way to Midsummer Meadow but the 9 year old wasn't quite up to that!
Upton Country Park can be busy but is a big space and the lesser known area away from the car park/football pitch is much quieter. There are currently sheep in one of the fields and is flat & perfect for buggies and bikes. There is a car park available.
Brampton Valley Way. This is a 14 mile stretch taking you all the way to Market Harborough. We have only visited a small section but loved it. I can recommend Draughton Crossing car park to Kelmarsh Tunnels. Last year we also walked from The Windhover for a couple of miles & then had a break at The Brampton Halt which will be open again later in the summer (hopefully!) Several free car parks are dotted long the walk.
Bradlaugh Fields which is not really so unknown anymore but depending on the day/time can be very quiet.
Irthingborough Lakes is a lovely quiet spot & you can walk all the way to Rushden Lakes quite easily and grab a takeaway drink & sit on the boardwalk before your return journey (top tip from my sister).
Harlestone Firs is one of my personal favourites grower in popularity you can still easily find pockets of complete solitude and perfect on a hot day as lots of shade from the trees. Free parking is opposite.
Villages we have some beautiful villages in Northamptonshire which are perfect for a stroll away from the hustle and bustle. We visited one yesterday and found a stream for the kids to paddle in & very few people.
A few of these places do not have specific car parks so take care parking, make sure you read the signs and don't obstruct roads/paths etc.
Have fun, take care & stay safe in this crazy new world.
Emma xxx
Gravity Entertainment in Sol Central is the newest trampoline park to the scene and today we went to see what it is all about.
Located right by Vue Cinema the striking orange & purple colours mean you cannot miss it. Smaller than I thought it has a brilliant mixture of equipment & quite a few items that it's rival Boost doesn't have.
Upon entry you can complete your waiver at one of the screens and validate your car parking ticket. Socks must be worn & are £2.50 per pair. Each child is given a coloured band to correspond with their time slot. A health & safety video must be watched which included a warm up routine which I thought was good although the teen wasn't so sure. It is £11.95 per child but online prices are discounted by 15% so £10.16 which is therefore comparable to Boost which is £10. They also operate parent & toddler off peak sessions which is £6. Family tickets are also available for £39.99 or (£33.99 online!) this is for 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children.
My kids loved the climbing wall & ball bit (this was their favourite section). The wipe out machine was a big hit and my son liked the mini football zone and befriended a younger child and they happily charged about.
The kids rated Gravity Entertainment 9/10 and both want to go back. I know there was some early feedback and some improvements have been made. The slush machines were moved and hand dryers fitted. The toilets still smelt of fresh paint! I think Gravity Entertainment is a huge positive for Sol Central and it is great to see the building filling up with businesses again.
More picture over on Instagram Instagram - Life in the Mum's Lane
**We were gifted 2 tickets in exchange for this review. We paid for our own socks & drinks. All opinions are my own.**
January is behind us and many of us are looking forward to Spring but February brings with it lighter evenings and snowdrops!
Get outside, enjoy the lighter days, wrap up warm and enjoy the snowdrops around Northamptonshire.
Coton Manor is well know for its magnificent bluebells but also has a beautiful display of snowdrops. Open Saturday 15th February to Sunday 1st March 2020 11am to 4pm £8 adults and £3 children NN6 8RQ
Evenley Woods has snowdrops 1st February to 1st March 10am to 4pm. The café is open Friday to Sunday 11am to 3.30pm £6 adults and £1 children aged 4 to 16. NN13 5SH
18th February to 21st February there is also half term activities for children. For a small fee children can make a bird feeder or take part in the bug trail.
Badby Woods (near Daventry) parking is limited especially at weekends recommended to use picnic area on the A361 north of the village. The ancient woodlands have snowdrops on show during February.
Lamport Hall & Gardens is hosting a snowdrop walk Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th February the gardens will be open 11am to 3pm £5 adults and £2 children aged 11 to 18 and under 11's free! To access the house charges increase to £11 and £6. Light refreshments will be available from Saul's of Spratton in the carriage house. NN6 9HD
Many National Trust properties have snowdrops within the gardens Waddesdon & Stowe both have snowdrop walks.
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| Evenley Gardens 2018 |
